2nd Photographer

[Julz518]

Hi again!

A few of the photographers I'm looking into offer to provide a "second photographer" for an additional charge (usually $200-$300). While I would love to have more photo coverage (e.g. of the sherry hour while photog #1 does the posed shots), is it really worth it? Besides my example, what other benefits might there be to having a second photographer? Will you be able to tell the difference in their styles?? Should I put as much effort into interviewing the second photographer as I do #1?

Also, should I expect my photographer to have a "helper," or are they not necessary for good photographers?

Thanks!

[Marci Curtis]

"A few of the photographers I'm looking into offer to provide a "second photographer" is it really worth it?" This has become a newer trend as well and many, many photogs would disagree with me. Personally, having another photographer around is a royal pain. They are in my way, I have to shoot around them and we'd be duplicating content. The second photographer you would be hiring is someone who is coming up through the ranks. They are paid roughly $300 and are there supposedly to shoot something different. I don't discourage friends and family from shooting during the day because I like that they'll get something different, but if they were superglued to me all day long, AAWK.. what a pain! The underling is shooting to build their own portfolio and so if they're in the right place, that means they're in my way! I think this is a service to "wow" a client, but is totally unneccessary. Personally, I'm everywhere all day long and while I may not get everything, I get almost everything. Some very good photogs like having helpers because they bring extensive lighting set ups and don't want to fuss with lugging their stuff, so an assistant helps. Others have them simply to make themselves feel and look important. Personally, my chiropractor would be very bummed if I hired someone to do all my schlepping. If you're still dying to have a second shooter, find out exactly who they are, what exactly they'll be shooting and what their experience and credentials are. It changes the dynamics of the day a lot and if you have your heart set on feeling like Paris Hilton and want the papparazzi effect, go for it, otherwise find someone who can do it fabulously solo.

[Julz518]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was wondering - if the quality of the second photog would be as good as the first. The only advantage I would see would be them shooting the sherry hour while we do posed shots... and I don't think it's worth it. For the most part, they would probably just be duplicating work.

I'm of the opinion that my photog should be invisible... I don't want her running around asking people to pose. No, I definitely don't want to feel (or APPEAR to be, in anyway) like Paris Hilton! I know the photog won't get every shot, but if it's worthwhile, someone else will... and I'll never know any better if they don't

[ladedah]

Just for a different angle...we had two photographers.....they came as the packaged deal...not something we paid extra for...but it was kind of nice. One was with us girls as we were getting ready and one went with the boys to catch them getting ready. Also during the ceremony one was up by the alter and one was at the back of the sanctuary and up in the balcony....it was fun to have all those different angles.

[555Ann555]

We also had 2 photographers, a husband & wife couple... I found it great with the ceremony photographs, one captured all the close up, intimate views, and the other got the wide angled view of the whole congregation and could shoot from the balcony.

I didn't want to have to choose between having close ups & having the over all view of the church...

Having them both shooting all day made for some great impromptu shots (one of me being p***** off at my SIL was hilarious for those who can read my expresions ) but it meant we could get caught off guard.

It also gave up more flattering angles in some of the shots... I don't like photos of either Mo or I taken totally straight on, but even if we were having the main photographer shooting us like that we got a more interesting angle from the other...

Like Ladedah said, it gave us the oppertunity to have both the boys & the girls shot informally while getting ready & we got some brilliant photos from that

It was a huge selling point for me because of the oppertunity it presents during the ceremony. I had seen wedding photos where you had "the kiss" taken from up close, but also taken from the end of the aisle, but without having to go back after the ceremony & stage it.

I'd give it some thought if you can afford the extra. I think Marci made a brilliant point about the 2 photographers being used to working together. Our two were an experienced couple who have worked together & understood each other for years. There was no need for them to battle each other becuase they weren't given personal credit for any one photo, they just came together to give us the best choice of shots for our album.

I'd think carefully about choosing 2 photographers that aren't used to working together, pushy relatives can be enough to irritate some photographers I've seem without having someone else stepping on their toes!

(while I'm on the subject of pushy relatives, that is why we chose to go to a second location for our photos; I figured we were paying enough to have our "couple shots" taken, so I didn't want to have either us, or the photographers distracted by lots of other people & flashes going off! It's worth thinking about)


(ETA: PM me if you want to see some examples of the difference that 2 can make)

[FedererPhoto]

I disagree with Marci to a certain extent.

I use a second photographer. I'm lucky to have a few very photographically inclined friends whom do not desire to have the 'pressure' of being the lead wedding photographer. One shoots concert photography and another does travel/landscape/stock. So they are skilled, experienced, and all that... their goal is to help me capture a wedding in a way I couldn't with just one. The wedding photographer at my own wedding has someone much in the same vien... I felt this added to the day greatly.
As you move up the chain, it's clear that most higher-end photographers have a second shooter/assistant. Whether needed or justified, I can't say for everyone... but in my experience, on both sides of the camera, they are invaluable. Allowing the photographer to make images of the bride getting ready while the assistant gets the groom and groomsmen. Allowing the primary to take portraits of the bride while the assistant gets candid shots of the groomsmen wrestling while hanging out. Taking shots of grandma crying while the primary captures the bride walking down the isle. Getting down in the crowd and holding a remote flash aimed at the bride and groom on a packed dance floor while the primary runs to an overlook and pops off a sweet wide angle with them highlighted. Etc etc etc. In my experience, a good second is worth their weight in gold.

I agree with Marci that sometimes the '2nd' is just there to pad their portfolio, rather than genuinely looking to help the primary provide better coverage. If this is the case, it might not be worth the extra money. Sadly, this is the more common '2nd' scenario.

[Phillip Ino]

Originally Posted by Marci Curtis

"A few of the photographers I'm looking into offer to provide a "second photographer" is it really worth it?" This has become a newer trend as well and many, many photogs would disagree with me. Personally, having another photographer around is a royal pain. They are in my way, I have to shoot around them and we'd be duplicating content. The second photographer you would be hiring is someone who is coming up through the ranks. They are paid roughly $300 and are there supposedly to shoot something different. I don't discourage friends and family from shooting during the day because I like that they'll get something different, but if they were superglued to me all day long, AAWK.. what a pain! The underling is shooting to build their own portfolio and so if they're in the right place, that means they're in my way! I think this is a service to "wow" a client, but is totally unneccessary. Personally, I'm everywhere all day long and while I may not get everything, I get almost everything. Some very good photogs like having helpers because they bring extensive lighting set ups and don't want to fuss with lugging their stuff, so an assistant helps. Others have them simply to make themselves feel and look important. Personally, my chiropractor would be very bummed if I hired someone to do all my schlepping. If you're still dying to have a second shooter, find out exactly who they are, what exactly they'll be shooting and what their experience and credentials are. It changes the dynamics of the day a lot and if you have your heart set on feeling like Paris Hilton and want the papparazzi effect, go for it, otherwise find someone who can do it fabulously solo.

Hi Marci,
Interesting point of view. May I ask how you gained experience as a Wedding Photographer? I suppose I am an underling who is trying to build his portfolio, although I would never intend on "shadowing" the main photographer, just being a 2nd shooter to get shots from a different perspective. I suppose we all have to start somewhere and gain our experiences from somewhere. I am interested to hear what your route was and perhaps I could go that route too.

Thanks!

[Marci Curtis]

Hi Phillip!
Yes, we all do have to start somewhere and shadowing a pro is a great way to learn the ropes and to learn on the job (shadowing is not being super glued to the photos, but indeed trying to get different angles and perspectives). My only advice to couples though was to do their homework and find out if the second professional shooter is someone just starting out or someone who can hold their own. I got all my training as a photojournalist working for the AP and other newspapers. I fought shooting weddings ("too bossy" I thought, "too much headache" I figured). Then I stepped in for a friend who had to find a replacement quickly and discovered that couples can actually be totally cool and have fun on their wedding day and I got a front row seat to their happiness! I've never looked back and have yet to have a bridezilla after over 500 weddings! A lot of my training was for the worst lighting conditions know to man, to know my equipment backwards and forwards and be able to make technical adjustments on the fly. That's the easy part. The hard part is balancing being a fly on the wall with being the den mother, the cheerleader, the extra bridesmaid all while taking fabulous photos. Happy relaxed people make for great photos. I love my job, but I've learned that precious few have the patience, persistence and personality to successfully pull it off! Start off by offering to second shoot for free so you can learn the ropes a bit. The last thing you want to do is to jump in before you're ready and botch it up. Your confidence and business will suffer horribly, so be prepared before you jump. Best of luck, Marci Curtis